BEST...MUSICAL...EVER.

Run, don't walk, don't stop to kill any Candarian demons unless they are trying to prevent you from buying a ticket to Evil Dead, The Musical.  Still in previews, this hysterical and reverent new show is now running, and just in time for Halloween.  If you have ever seen the Evil Dead movies, or are a Sam Rami or Bruce Campbell fan, or like horror stories, or even if you have a sense of humor, you will love Evil Dead, The Musical.

Obviously this work has been created by both a huge fan of the original movies and by someone who understands the stage.  Evil Dead is reverent enough to the original work that fans of the movies will love it.  The script, the gags, the acting (or over acting), even the self deprecating humor within the show are all balanced to contain enough of the movie to drive fans into a frenzy.  One fan, who literally couldn't stop laughing at the performance I attended, even shouted out in the middle of the show, "I'm going to have a heart attack."  If you are new to the world of Evil Dead, I suggest you rent all three movies before you go to the musical.  Knowing the references will only add to your enjoyment of the show.  At the same time, all of this tongue-in-cheek self-referential humor does not go overboard or make the show inaccessible to newbies.  The woman sitting next to me was already seeing it for a second time, only two weeks into the previews of the show and she admitted she had never even seen the movies. 

The sets, costumes, make-up, special effects, and even the lighting are perfect.  Each enhances the show while being deliberately bad enough to give the same low budget feel that the original movie had.  However,  I wouldn't be suprised to learn that they spent a lot more on this production than the original movie's budget.  I haven't seen the numbers yet, so I have no proof.   The set itself is sort of a wonder, and even an additional character.  However, I will say no more to prevent spoiling any surprises. 

The actors work incredibly hard throughout the show.  Ryan Ward as Ash is a wonder to watch.  His acting, delivery, even his acrobatics mimic Bruce Campbell's original character enough that you feel that Ash is there on stage.  Yet Ryan has made Ash his own, bringing new life to a classic B-movie character and cult figure.  Everyone else is dead on in their portrayals of the characters/Candarian demons.  Not a line or gesture was lost on them.  The casts' sense of the campy and low budget nature of the Evil Dead shows through, and they attack the material with full effort.  The cast handles the wonderful music, lyrics and choreography with a perfect sense of what they should be.  And each of these elements was well created to fit the exact needs of this show, adding yet another level of fun and humor to an already full production.

And of course there is the blood.  Anyone familiar with the original movies knows they used gallons and gallons of blood.  And then even more blood.  And the stage show follows suit.  The first three rows of theater seats are covered in plastic.  This is the "splatter zone,' an area highly coveted by the truest of fans.  Get them now if you want them, they are going fast.

Evil Dead the Musical

New World Stages / Stage 1

340 West 50th Street Between 8th and 9th Avenues

New York NY 10019

P.S.  This has been one biased review.  For the sake of full disclosure, I will admit to owning the DVDs of all three movies and to having watched them all many times.  I even own an Evil Dead video game.  Ok, and I read Bruce Campbell's book.  That's it, I swear.  Maybe. 

tags: evil dead  musical  theater  evil dead the musical  new york  demon  zombie  candarian  

links: digg this    del.icio.us    technorati    reddit